TV on DVD Buzz

This week we feature a show that just released on DVD today, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. Studio 60 was created and written by Aaron Sorkin of The West Wing fame. The show followed the behind-the-scenes events of a fictional sketch comedy show similar to Saturday Night Live.

Studio 60 featured an all-star ensemble cast which included Matthew Perry (Friends), Bradley Whitford (The West Wing), Amanda Peet (Jack & Jill), Sarah Paulson (Jack & Jill), Nate Corddry (The Daily Show), D.L. Hughley (The Hughleys), Steven Weber (Wings) and Timothy Busfield (thirty-something).

This was one of the most anticipated shows of the Fall 2006 season and, based on the pilot, it was named “Best Overall New Program” by television critics. But ratings quickly fell off and later episodes weren’t as well-received. Rumors of its cancellation began as early as October of 2006, but NBC denied the rumors and ultimately ordered a full season of the show.

In February of 2007, NBC put the show on hiatus a week early and filled its timeslot with The Black Donnellys. On April 2, NBC announced that the show would not be coming back to its regular Monday night slot. The series did return in late April to finish out its run. The show’s final episode aired on June 26, 2007.

The show was nominated for several Emmy Awards including Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series, Outstanding Cinematography For A Single-Camera Series, Outstanding Casting in Dramatic Series, Outstanding Guest Actor in Dramatic Series (Eli Wallach). John Goodman took home the award for Guest Actor in a Dramatic Series for his role as Judge Robert Bebe on the show.

The DVD hits today and it includes all 22 episodes as well as a few special features. Here’s what you’ll find:

1. Pilot
2. The Cold Open
3. The Focus Group
4. The West Coast Delay
5. The Long Lead Story
6. The Wrap Party
7. Nevada Day (1)
8. Nevada Day (2)
9. The Option Period
10. B-12
11. The Christmas Show
12. Monday
13. The Harriet Dinner (1)
14. The Harriet Dinner (2)
15. The Friday Night Slaughter
16. 4 a.m. Miracle
17. The Disaster Show
18. Breaking News
19. K & R (1)
20. K & R (2)
21. K & R (3)
22. What Kind Of Day Has It Been

Special Features:

• Audio Commentary on the pilot episode with creator Aaron Sorkin and executive producer Thomas Schlamme
• In Depth: The Evolution of Studio 60: A behind-the-scenes documentary about the making of Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip

TV on DVD, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, Matthew Perry, Bradley Whitford, Amanda Peet, John Goodman,  Aaron Sorkin, DVD